In the history of human inquiry, philosophy has the place of the initial central sun, seminal and tumultuous; from time to time it... throws of some portion of itself to take station as a science, a planet, cool and well regulated, progressing steadily towards a distant final state.... Is it not possible that the next century may see the birth, through the joint efforts of philosophers, grammarians, and numerous other students of language, of a true and comprehensive science of language? Then we shall have rid ourselves of one more part of philosophy (there will still be plenty left) in the only way we ever can get rid of philosophy, by kicking it upstairs.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

Your letter of excuses has arrived. I receive the letter but do not admit the excuses except in courtesy, as when a man treads on ...your toes and begs your pardon--the pardon is granted, but the joint aches, especially if there is a corn upon it.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

No Government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition. It reduces their supporters to that tractable number which can b...e managed by the joint influences of fruition and hope. It offers vengeance to the discontented, and distinction to the ambitious; and employs the energies of aspiring spirits, who otherwise may prove traitors in a division or assassins in a debate.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

Substantial pieces of goods [were] very offensive to her Ladyship's sight. They, for their clumsiness, were discarded, and in thei...r room were placed China images and all manner of Chinese figures: some that stood still and some that, by pulling a string, might be put into such insignificant shakings and motions as made the heads of the beholders giddy.... And thus was this noble ancient castle, which in its old form struck the imagination both with dignity and simplicity, filled with such trifling gewgaws that it was dangerous to move, lest some of the clockwork trumpery should be thrown down and put out of joint.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

We have today and I could call their nameWho know exactly what is out of joint...To make their verse and their excuses lame.They've tried to grasp with too much social factToo large a situation.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »